Several viewers have asked questions concerning juror compensation. I think this response covers them all.

Florida Statutes Section 40.24 provides for juror compensation. If the juror is employed and is being paid during jury service, there is no compensation for the first three days of jury service. Jurors who are not regularly employed or who do not continue to receive regular wages during jury service are entitled to be compensated at the rate of $15 per day for the first three days. Jurors who serve more than three days are entitled to be compensated at the rate of $30 for each day. There is no compensation for travel or related expenses unless the jury is sequestered. Florida Statutes Section 40.0271 forbids an employer from discharging an employee because of jury service. Threats of dismissal can result in the employer being held in contempt of court. Contempt is a misdemeanor crime punishable by up to six months in the county jail or a fine of $1,000, or both. The statute creates a civil remedy for wrongful discharge from employment because of jury service and damages include compensatory damages, which includes lost wages; and punitive damages, an amount necessary to deter the employer from future wrongful conduct, attorney fees and costs. -- Judge O.H. Eaton

Does Lawyer Discipline Affect Appeal?

Dear Judge Eaton: If Mr. (Jose) Baez is disbarred for any reason in the future, will that be grounds for granting of an appeal for Casey or will the other capable attorneys on her case now offset that? -- Max, Rockledge, Fla.

Disbarment does not provide grounds for an appeal or other relief unless the facts causing the disbarment are somehow related to the particular case in question. -- Judge O.H. Eaton

Which Attorney Will Give Opening Statement?

Dear Judge Eaton: I noticed each side has three or more attorneys. Will all of them make opening statements and closing arguments? -- Andrew, Texas

I suspect only one lawyer will make opening statements for each side. If they decide to divide the opening statement among two or more lawyers, they will each cover different aspects of the case. -- Judge O.H. Eaton

What Information Will Be Provided To Sequestered Jurors?

Dear Judge Eaton: Since the jurors are restricted with news and newspapers, I was just wondering if they are briefed about any major news regarding the country or the world events such as major earthquakes or news about the wars, etc. I think if I was sequestered for that long of time, I would miss not knowing what was going on in the world, in addition to family things, of course. Would they be told about any hurricanes or such affecting the area, possibly affecting their families? I feel lost if I don't watch the news for more than a day or two if I get tied up with other things. -- Pam Yanish, Tampa, Fla.

Jurors will probably be furnished with copies of the local newspaper after the story about the Anthony case is removed, and they will probably be allowed to watch news reports on television that do not cover the case. Arrangements for these services will be made by the sheriff, with the approval of the trial judge. -- Judge O.H. Eaton

MORE: Extended CoverageSTAY UPDATED: Casey iPhone App

Should Casey Be Allowed To Take Notes?

While viewing the Anthony trial this day on television, it was difficult to not notice defense attorney Simms sitting at the defense table next to defendant Casey Anthony. Both Ms. (Dorothy Clay) Simms and Ms. Anthony were viewing the open computer upon the desk, and Ms. Anthony was writing on a legal pad situated upon her lap, slightly hidden from the bench's view. However, it was in open view of the camera lens. It appeared Ms. Anthony was writing on the pad, then Ms. Simms would do the input on the computer keyboard. My question is: Is it legal for the defendant to write or correspond via Internet in the court while on trial in the state of Florida? If it is legal, it certainly seems like these individuals could better use their time paying attention to what is taking place in the courtroom while jury questioning is in progress. I?m very impressed with his Honorable (Judge) Belvin Perry in the courtroom and his tremendous amount of patience. I just hope no persons in the courtroom would take advantage of his patience while he is sitting in such an important case. -- Patricia Montgomery, San Diego, Calif.

It appeared to me that Ms. Anthony was taking notes, possibly to use when she conferences with her attorneys about individual jurors. I cannot be sure because I am over 100 miles away from the courtroom at the WESH studio in Winter Park. Defendants are not allowed to surf the Internet while in court. Although, it is not unusual for lawyers to use the Internet for research and other purposes related to the case on trial. -- Judge O.H. Eaton

Comforting Casey?

Dear Judge Eaton: Have you ever seen so much touching and comforting of a defendant in a courtroom setting? How do you think a prospective juror would view this, and will Judge Perry allow this activity go on once the trial starts? -- Darcy, Daytona Beach, Fla.

I have seen this sort of behavior before, but it involved a mentally ill defendant who needed support from a caregiver. I suspect the stress level is quite high at this point, and I am not surprised that there is some touching and comforting. I doubt if Judge Perry will try to control it unless it becomes disruptive. -- Judge O.H. Eaton

Welcome Judge Eaton

Dear Judge Eaton: I am so glad WESH has you as the answer man. I trust you with the answers that need to be answered. There are no second-guessing with the answers. -- E. Boggess

Thanks. This is a new experience for me, and I am enjoying it. -- Judge O.H. Eaton

Why Such Big Defense Team?

Dear Judge Eaton: Why does Casey get expensive private attorneys paid for by our tax money when we would have to settle for a public defender for a similar crime? Both of us (are) supposedly indigent. -- Robert Fowler

The defense team is representing the defendant without compensation, although I understand Mr. Baez did initially receive some money from a source other than the defendant. She has been declared indigent for costs, and the taxpayers are picking up the tab for the costs related to her defense, just as if she were being represented by the public defender. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that all indigent defendants accused of a serious crime are entitled to court-appointed counsel at public defense. -- Judge O.H. Eaton

Purpose Of Victim Impact Statements?

Dear Judge Eaton: I heard during jury selection today that the victim impact statements can be very emotional and should not be considered in the penalty phase. Knowing this, why or for what purpose is the victim impact statement allowed into the trial? Why do the courts or the state laws of Florida allow this? This is difficult enough for the jurors. Why lay an emotional impact on them when they are trying to make such a vital decision on someone's life? -- JoAnn Shurtz, Melbourne, Fla.

Prior to 1991, the U.S. Supreme Court prohibited the use of victim impact evidence. However, in a case called Payne v. Tennessee, the court reversed itself on this issue, provided state law authorized such evidence. The Florida Legislature immediately passed a statute allowing victim impact evidence. Victim impact evidence must be designed to demonstrate the victim?s uniqueness as an individual human being and the resultant loss to the community?s members. It does not include opinions of the victim?s family about the crime, the defendant and the appropriate sentence. This limitation is not always followed and has resulted in unfortunate results. Victim?s relatives are not allowed to chastise the defendant or demand the death penalty. Some victim impact evidence is obviously presented for the purpose of prejudicing the defendant and encouraging the jury to return a recommendation for a death sentence. There is a case from California in which the victim?s relatives presented a 30- minute film showing the life of the victim from time of birth until time of death. The film was accompanied by dreamy music provided by Enya. The United States Supreme Court approved this presentation but suggested this is the outer edge of tolerance. I suggest this type of presentation would not be allowed in Florida. Victim impact evidence is not considered to be an aggravating circumstance in Florida, so the introduction of this evidence is, in the words of law professors, irrelevant to any issue in the case. Yet it is allowed. The Florida jury instruction reads as follows: "You have heard evidence about the impact of this homicide on the family, friends or community of (victim's name). This evidence was presented to show the victim?s uniqueness as an individual and the resultant loss by (victim?s) death. However, you may not consider this evidence as an aggravating circumstance. Your recommendation to the court must be based on the aggravating circumstances and the mitigating circumstances upon which you have been instructed." I have had jurors ask me why this evidence was presented if it was not supposed to be used. I have no answer to that question. I try to discourage victim impact evidence in capital cases because of the dangers of prejudice in the 11th hour of the trial. I have asked the victim?s family to present that evidence to me outside the presence of the jury as an alternative and agreement on that procedure is usually reached. Of course, I warn the victim?s family of the danger of a mistrial or other sanctions if improper evidence is presented to the jury. -- Judge O.H. Eaton

What Happens To Lawyers Who Play Dirty?

Dear Judge Eaton: What happens when lawyers play dirty in court and use a trick that, even though they know to be unethical, influences a jury? For instance, if a prosecutor were to blurt out: "The defendant failed a lie detector test!" I know the judge might impose sanctions against the attorney, but the damage has been done. Outside of telling the jurors to disregard the statement, what else can the judge do to make sure the seeds of deception don't unduly interrupt due process? -- Patrick, Melbourne, Fla.

There are a number of sanctions that are available to curb lawyer misconduct. Judges can instruct the jury to disregard the misconduct if it occurs in open court. Judges can use the contempt power to punish the lawyer. Judges can report the lawyer to the Florida Bar for possible discipline, and the judge could declare a mistrial and schedule a new trial at a later date. Any combination of these sanctions can be imposed. -- Judge O.H. Eaton

Where Are Anthony's Parents?

Dear Judge Eaton: Where are George and Cindy Anthony while the jury is being seated? Are they allowed to know (or) hear what is going on?

Our reporters have not seen the Anthonys at any time this week. They have been released from the rule requiring witnesses to be sequestered, so they are allowed to be in the courtroom. The Criminal Justice Center in Pinellas County, Fla., is a two-hour drive from Orlando, and that may have something to do with it. That is only my guess. -- Judge O.H. Eaton

Could Trial Defense Lead to Charges?

Dear Judge Eaton: If as evidenced by Mr. Baez so far, the defense will be abuse and/or molestation as a child. How will that impact George Anthony as a witness in this trial? Is it not incriminating himself potentially? No one believes this theory, in my opinion. I am certain this is smoke and mirrors, but if it is used, and he is accused, how can he be candid and frank in the courtroom with this charge leveled at him by his daughter? -- Tracey

We will all have to wait and see how the evidence unfolds. Evidence of abuse by her parents is not a defense (bar to conviction) the defendant can rely upon in this case. It may be a matter of mitigation if the defendant is found guilty of first-degree murder. -- Judge O.H. Eaton

Use Juror Questionnaires?

Dear Judge Eaton: I am a retired court (official) from California. I am amazed at this convoluted prospective juror process. Do you not use special prospective juror questionnaires in Florid for death penalty cases? I oversaw several very high-profile death penalty cases during my career. We would first call in all the prospective jurors, usually in stages because of the large number, address them about the case and the prospective juror process, then have them fill out a very specific questionnaire that is designed by the court, state and defense. The jury office would make copies of the completed questionnaire for distribution to the court, state and defense to review. They would all meet to go over the questionnaires and eliminate quite a few people right away, then call back the remaining people for a lot more specific face-to-face voir dire. It was a really efficient process. I would never do a big case without it. -- Jim

What works in one court system does not work so well in others. I have found extensive jury questionnaires to be a waste of time. It takes time to fill the questionnaire out, copy it and distribute it. The lawyers then ask the same questions as the questions contained on the questionnaire in the form of follow-up. I have never heard of lawyers being willing to excuse a juror based upon answers in a questionnaire. They always insist on speaking to the juror. For your information, I have been teaching trial judges how to try capital cases at the National Judicial College at the University of Nevada-Reno for over a decade, and judges from all over the country differ quite strongly in their opinions on the use of questionnaires. There was a questionnaire used in the Anthony case. It was a short one that simply asked basic biographical information. Now, in normal cases, we do weed out jurors who are not qualified or who have unusual hardships before they come to the courtroom. That was not done in the Anthony case, but that decision was not a bad one. It is all a matter of culture in the individual court system. -- Judge O.H. Eaton